Elderly Woman Killed in Early Morning House Fire

LUCERNE VALLEY:(VVNG.com)- An early morning house fire claimed the life of an elderly Lucerne Valley woman on Tuesday, April 19th.

The fatal residential fire broke out on the 9800 block of Mesa Road in Lucerne Valley just after 4:30 AM. Multiple calls to 911 reported elderly residents possibly unable to evacuate from the home.

San Bernardino County Fire responded and found heavy smoke and fire had engulfed half of the 1400 square foot single family structure.

According to a press release, one resident was located outside of the home and was treated by fire department paramedics. Firefighters made entry into the house to find hoarder conditions which both contributed to the spread of the blaze and slowed their progression toward the seat of the fire.

During the attack, the roof collapsed over the suspected room of origin. It took just over thirty minutes to bring the fire under control.

While conducting a search for victims, an elderly female was located, deceased, in a bedroom which was the suspected room in which the fire began. An elderly male resident who was initially found outside of the residence was treated for smoke inhalation and burns and flown to a regional burn center for definitive treatment of his injuries.

Additionally, one dozen cats had been located deceased inside the structure, though firefighters expected that number to climb as overhaul efforts continued through all of the debris inside the residence.

Five engine companies, one paramedic ambulance, and a chief officer were on scene of the incident. County Fire received assistance from both the Apple Valley Fire Protection District and CalFire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation through County Fire’s Office of the Fire Marshal and the San Bernardino County Sheriff.